Men's Rope Chains

Men's rope chains: a twisted link with texture you can see

A rope chain is built from small links twisted around each other in a spiral. The result looks like a braided cord in metal. It has a rounded profile, it turns the light as you move, and it reads as textured even from a few feet away. It shows up on its own, with nothing hanging from it.

Every rope chain in this collection is made of steel. The Braided Titanium Steel Chain and the Rope Chain in Gold-Tone Titanium Steel are titanium steel, a stainless steel alloy (not pure titanium). The Rope Chain Necklace in Stainless Steel comes in bare steel or with a gold-tone plating.

How to choose the width

Width changes the look of a rope chain more than any other detail, because the twist gets bolder as the links get bigger.

• 2.3 mm (gold-tone titanium steel rope): fine and discreet. Easy to wear every day, and light enough to carry a small pendant.
• 3 mm (braided titanium steel chain, stainless steel rope): the classic everyday width. Visible over a t-shirt, quiet under a shirt collar.
• 4 mm (stainless steel rope): the texture is clearly readable. A good choice if you wear the chain alone.
• 5 mm (stainless steel rope): the boldest option here. Worn on its own, over a plain tee or an open collar.

If this is your first chain, 3 mm is the safe start. If you already wear a thin chain and want something with more presence, go to 4 or 5 mm.

How to choose the length

The lengths below describe where a chain usually falls on an average adult neck. A larger neck or a broad chest pulls a chain higher, so if you are between two sizes, take the longer one.

• 18": at the base of the neck, close to the collar. Available on the 2.3 mm gold-tone rope.
• 20": just below the collarbone. The most versatile length, offered on all three rope chains.
• 22": on the upper chest. Sits outside a t-shirt neckline without hiding.
• 24" and 26": mid-chest. The usual pick for wearing a pendant or a second chain above it.
• 28" and 31": long drop, on the 2.3 mm gold-tone rope. Mostly worn over clothing or layered.

Not sure how long you need? Measure a chain you already own, or wrap a piece of string around your neck where you want the chain to sit and measure it flat. If you want to compare every chain style in one length, see our men's 20 inch chains.

What to wear a rope chain with

On its own

A 3 to 5 mm rope chain has enough texture to stand alone. Wear it over a white or black t-shirt, or under an open shirt collar with one or two buttons undone.

With a pendant

Thinner ropes (2.3 and 3 mm) make a good base for a small pendant. Keep the pendant light and pick a length of 22" or more so it sits on the chest. For chains that already come with a pendant, browse our men's chain pendants.

Layered

To layer, pair a rope with a flatter chain so the two textures do not compete, and leave about 2" between the lengths. A rope at 24" over a flat Figaro chain at 20" or 22" is an easy combination.

Caring for a steel rope chain

Steel is a practical metal for a chain you wear daily, but a little care keeps the finish looking its best, especially on gold-tone plating.

• Wipe the chain with a soft, dry cloth after wearing it.
• You can keep it on in the shower, at the gym, at the sea or in the pool. Rinse it in clean water after the sea or the pool, dry it, and keep cleaning products off it.
• Put on perfume and lotion before the chain, not after.
• Store it flat or hung, apart from other jewelry, so the twisted links do not get tangled or scratched.

Every chain is covered by a 1-year warranty against defects, and you have 30 days to return it.